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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2011)
.f tf 30 JULY15 2011 * y * 4" WWW.JUSTOU ----------------------------------------- b p o r i b 1 ----------------------------------------------- Let The Games Begin! Second GLISA North America Outgames hits Vancouver, Portland represents 8 3 3 8 N . LorrtBaRÒ 5 0 3 .2 4 7 .10 6 6 B A ST ILL E DAY CELEBRATION!!! g u t® pigeons COOL n u t s a n d lUFATOOH , \ CLOUDY OCTOBER I Y E A H G R E A T F IN E | GUIDANCE COUNSELOR I SA M H U M A N S & THE LIOUT ll):.30 PM D A N CE PARTY apM to m id n ig h t w it h DJ ERIK BEATS! EVENTS INCLUDE' at P»x Pati »»«»10 nun N William» Portland OR V 3 0 3 -asa-tw:«» ^ 5 K Wine Run! ^ Bike Scavenger Hunt! -5 Sabering! ■i Grape Stompin’! ....and MORE! * We a rc collecting food for O R E G O N F O O D B A N K ? BRING 2 NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS!!! Vancouver, British Columbia cemented itself a bastion for competitive sports in 2010, with the Olympic W inter Games in W his tler. The fact that the city is consistently hailed among the most beautiful destinations on the planet didn’t hurt either, as images of arborous mountains, the English Bay and Vancouver Harbor were thrust into living rooms around the globe. It makes sense, then, that the Second Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association North America Outgames be held in the Big Couve. Come July 25-31, tens o f thousands of LGBTQ_athletes from around the world de scend on the region not just to compete in these games, not just to revel in the excitement generated by attending the competitions as fans, hut also to take part in Vancouver’s re nowned Pride Week celebrations. This is going to be huge. Don’t confuse, however, the recent Gay Games in 2010 in Cologne, Germany with the Outgames franchise. W hile similar in obvious ways like affording L G B T Q athletes of all talents to compete with and against each other in a supportive environment, North America Outgames board chair John Boychuk says Outgames focuses more on friendly sport and individual accomplish ment. The Outgames also distinguishes itself by virtue of a spotlight on human rights, with a three-day conference smack dab in the middle of all that gamin’. “Outgames recognizes that human rights play an important part of visible community inclusiveness, and the ability to demolish barriers that are part o f today’s world,” Boy chuk explains. “This allows for a greater cross section of people to demonstrate their m en tal skills beyond that of the body and its physical limits.” The conference is designed to recognize, address and work to address issues facing the LGBTQ_ community such as discrimination by way of youth bullying, workplace harass ment, spirituality, education and more. Repre sentatives from every continent are scheduled to be on hand to facilitate panel discussions. The first World Outgames were in M on treal in 2006, while the inaugural North America Outgames were held in Calgary, Al berta the following year. Calgary’s games boasted more than 12,000 participants throughout the three-day human rights con ference, 35-plus sporting events and 12 days of cultural activities. Boychuk says that as the continental version of these games continues to build its brand, the 2011 Outgames is look ing at nearly twice the level o f participation that Calgary saw in 2007, with a greater em phasis on the diversity in the types o f sporting SUBMITTED PHOTO BY RYAN J. PRADO “It’s nice to know that we have so many outstanding LGBTQ athletes. I hope to be challenged and make new friends from around the world." -ALEJANDRO MARTINEZ events offered. In addition, Boychuk expects athletes from as far away as Japan, Wales, France, Germany, New Zealand, South America and the United States. Some familiar faces for Portland LG B TQ . sports enthusiasts are making the trek to rep resent the Rose City, too. Squeaking sneakers on the tennis court are two o f Team Portland Tennis’ finest, Scott Reis and Collin Koo. Reis, 36, competed in the 2009 Outgames in Copenhagen, Denmark, in track and field. At the North America Outgames this year, he’ll play in Division C for tennis. “I am a competitive person and am very focused on the court, but love the social aspect off the court and meeting new people during these tournaments,” Reis says. “W in or lose, I think good sportsmanship is key.” Koo, 40, is a newcomer to Portland, having just recently moved here from Vancouver, B.C. He is competing in tennis in the singles and doubles Open Division, and also plans on net ting more time with competitive badminton. “I t’s definitely an im portant sporting and social outlet for our community,” Koo says of Outgames. “It gives me an excuse to visit my hometown, and many of my friends are par ticipating in and even volunteering at the games. Scott and I play in different divisions so we won’t compete against or with each other, but I’ll be cheering for him enthusias tically because we are good friends and Port land teammates.” Alejandro M artinez, a soccer player for the past four years with Portland’s Netrippers Football Club, is traveling to Vancouver with his team, Stonewall, with the hopes o f get ting Outgames gold. It wouldn’t be the first time, as Stonewall— a team handpicked for the games—went to Copenhagen in ’07 in Division 1 and went undefeated, returning home with the gold medal. “I find it intriguing to compete amongst other well-trained athletes and to be sur rounded by other LGBTQ_athletes,” explains Martinez, 26. “I t’s nice to know that we have so many outstanding LGBTQ^ athletes. I hope to be challenged and make new friends from around the world.” Making friends is easy when you’re landing in the nexus o f Vancouver Pride week. And just because the games are almost here doesn’t mean you’ve missed out on your chance to at tend, or even compete. Registration for the larger team tournaments and continental cup challenges has now closed, but individual events remain open until the start of the games to encourage everyone who decides to come to Vancouver at the last minute. Events that of ficials will accept registrations for right up to the day of include the Eco Challenge, Poker, the 10K Run/4K Walk, Golf, DanceSport, Track and Field and the Vertical 6K Grouse- to-Peak Challenge. The outlying contingents during the O u t games this year are just as enticing for pro spective attendees and competing athletes. The Outgames Live Showcase series on July 28 at the three-story supper club Five Sixty features performances by Canadian diva Carole Pope, Peter Breeze and others. On July 30, the Closing Ceremonies Party gets things beat-bumpin’ with entertainment by international chart-topping dance-poppers Ace o f Base, Dragonette and more at the Plaza of Nations. Adding even more pride to the festivities is the Queer in Vancouver and Pride in Art festivals, the Celebration o f Light Interna tional Fireworks Com petition and Canada Place— one o f the city’s most iconic tourist spots— lighting up its sails in rainbow colors for the entire week. In short, this could be the LGBTQ_party o f the year. “The end o f July in Vancouver is definitely going to be Gay 8.0!” says Barb Snelgrove, Outgames’ communications director o f the event’s evolution. “Vancouver is ready to roll out the lavender carpet for all our out-of- town guests.” J#] The second G L IS A N orth America Outgames run July 2 5 -3 1 in Vancouver, B.C. For registra tion, hotel accommodations, a n d other general info., v isit vancouver2011outgames.com.
